Vertical Throw Time of Flight

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Momentum Beginner Theorem of Momentum

Source: High school physics (Chinese)

Problem Sets:

momentum - 1110

Problem

A small ball is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 10 m/s. It lands with a speed of 20 m/s. Air resistance is negligible.

Use the impulse-momentum theorem to find the time the ball is in the air.
$t = 3.06$ s

The only force acting on the ball is gravity, so the net force is $F_{net} = -mg$ (taking upward as the positive direction). The impulse-momentum theorem is $F_{net} t = \Delta p = m(v_f - v_i)$. The initial velocity is $v_i = 10$ m/s, and the final velocity is $v_f = -20$ m/s.

$$-mgt = m(v_f - v_i)$$ $$t = \frac{v_f - v_i}{-g} = \frac{-20 \text{ m/s} - 10 \text{ m/s}}{-9.8 \text{ m/s}^2}$$